Covering all things Dodgers since Steve Sax was a rookie.

April 2010

The likely starting pitcher for the Dodgers Wednesday is 23-year-old right-hander John Ely, obtained with Jon Link from the White Sox in the off-season trade for Juan Pierre. Ely’s name dropped out of the probable pitchers list for the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes and showed up in the Dodgers clubhouse Tuesday, although there was still no confirmation from the team. The Dodgers need a pitcher Wednesday to take the place of disabled Opening Day starter Vicente Padilla. Ely is a 23-year-old right-hander taken in the third round of the 2007 draft out of Miami (Ohio) University by Chicago. He went 14-2 with a 2.82 ERA at Double-A last year and is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts for Albuquerque, having last pitched Apr. 21. He has 12 strikeouts, but also eight walks, in 18 innings. — Ken Gurnick

It’s hoped manager Joe Torre can shed some light today on who will start Tuesday night’s game in New York, but no clear choice has emerged to replace Vicente Padilla, who was disabled Saturday. The first preference would be a Minor Leaguer currently on the 40-man Major League roster, but among them Scott Elbert not only has a ?8.36 ERA after three starts, but he just left Triple-A Albuquerque for the birth of his child, with journeyman Seth Etherton taking his spot. James McDonald is on the disabled list with two cracked fingernails. Brent Leach and Travis Schlichting are on the 40-man, but are relievers. — Ken Gurnick

Dodgers disabled catcher Brad Ausmus will have back surgery Thursday morning to repair a herniated disc. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Robert Watkins Jr. and the club said it hopes to have Ausmus back on the field late this summer. Ausmus is 41 and on the disabled list for the first time in a 17-season career. — Ken Gurnick

The Dodgers Saturday placed catcher Brad Ausmus on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Friday, with a pinched nerve in his lower back and recalled A.J. Ellis from Triple-A Albuquerque. — Ken Gurnick

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